Professional and occupational licenses in California are issued by state licensing boards — each profession has its own board with its own search tool. There is no single database of all licenses in California.
What this page covers: California professional license verification databases — medical, legal, real estate, contractor, financial, and other regulated professions. What it does not cover: Business entity filings (those are with the Secretary of State) or association memberships (those are private organizations).
Where to start: Identify the profession, then go to the specific licensing board for California. For attorneys, go to the state bar. For doctors, the medical board. For contractors, the contractor licensing authority. The databases below are organized by profession.
Common mistake: A professional license and a business registration are different. A license authorizes a person to practice a profession. A business registration authorizes a company to operate. They are filed with different agencies.
Licenses Databases
57 official California licenses sources.
Licenses
California Counties
58 California counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free statewide criminal search in California?▼
California's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. County-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.
How do I search California court cases?▼
California's court system is headed by the California Supreme Court. Trial-court business is handled by the Superior Court (one in each of 58 counties). Many California courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.
Where do I search California business entities?▼
The California Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.
What is the difference between Assessor and Recorder in California?▼
The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some county offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific county page for details.
How do I obtain a California birth or death certificate?▼
California vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the California Department of Public Health (Vital Records) and, in many cases, by local county clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.
Are California property records free to search?▼
Most county-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.
How do I check a California sex offender?▼
The California sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.
